Areas of Expertise: A versatile and innovative technical specialist with a subs

tantial track record in applied R&D and Facility Management with training in PLC
s, Process Control and Instrumentation My initial experience in nuclear fuel re
processing and radiation applications, followed by extensive involvement in the
Canadian reactor fuel channel safety program, has developed the following streng
ths and skills: adeptness at developing practical solutions to unique research p
roblems, extensive experience in integration of instrumentation and data acquisi
tion techniques in a nuclear environment, understanding of instrumentation calib
ration and documentation requirements. While employed by CeraMem Corporation, I
was involved in all phases of ceramic membrane filter development, production a
nd operation of small scale and pilot size systems. At Surmet I managed the fabr
ication of ALON ceramic blanks, which are then shaped and polished to produce th
e base layer of a new form of bulletproof glass. In this capacity, I have gained
experience in ceramic processing, including Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP), and
furnace operations for binder burn-out, sintering, Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP)
and annealing. I recently completed an ISA course qualifying me on Siemens and G
e-Fanuc PLC's.
Professional Experience
2007-2010 Surmet Corporation, Burlington, MA
Plant Manager - July, 2007 - November, 2010
Production accomplishments:
Managed fabrication of ALON optical ceramic blanks, often to very tight producti
on schedules. I worked closely with vendors, who supply toll-firing services, a
nd our own staff to plan and execute all stages of the blank production process.
I co-ordinated the work of several technicians, ensuring that they have in pla
ce all the resources and tools required to complete their tasks and I ensured th
at all relevant production data was captured in the company data base (FileMake
r-Pro).
Designed equipment and implemented procedures leading to increased efficiency in
the production of optically pure ALON for military bullet-proof applications.
-designed and installed a modification to an industrial size belt sander that in
creased through put by ~ 300%
-implemented a computer data acquisition system for measuring and recording furn
ace quality control data that reduced labor by ~ 50%
-built a test frame for a DAQ system to measure and record density of 25 kg cera
mic plates.
-worked with a vendor to produce prototype fixtures for filling large plate cera
mic molds.
-worked with vendors who supplied toll-firing services to ensure furnace operati
ons met our quality control standards.
-developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for high temperature graphite f
urnaces as well as other processing equipment.
R/D projects;
Worked with R/D staff to ensure adequate facilities were available to accomplish
research goals.
-installed a Centorr Vacuum furnace with a 100 kVA power source and related uti
lities
-designed/fabricated equipment for a glass production lab based on a technology
transfer agreement with the Navy Research Lab (Washington D.C.)
2000 - 2007 CeraMem Corporation, Waltham, MA
Facilities Manager - May, 2000 - June, 2007
Responsible for operation of the Monolith Extruder Facility, including operator
training, equipment modifications and scheduling.
Major role in the design, fabrication, operation and modification of Vacuum Resi
dual Oil Test Loop (in co-operation with Transionics Corp. - Houston, TX), Pilot
Scale Ceramic Filter Test Loop, Ceramic Coupon Filter Test Loop, and initial st
ages of Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst Separation Test Loop.
Responsible for transition to electronic instrumentation and data acquisition sy
stems on experimental test loops.
Managed an application to the Department of Environmental Protection that allowe
d CeraMem to draw water from a local brook, pass the water through our filter te
st system and return it to the brook
Responsible for the coordination of interior and exterior maintenance of the bui
lding and services (lights, power, HVAC, water) including office and laboratory
space with the property owner and various contractors. Demonstrated ability to w
ork with a variety of people to accomplish tasks within a given period. Respons
ible for hiring and supervision of service staff / technicians.
Responsible for allocation of laboratory space and facilities for research progr
ams.
Managed two lighting upgrade projects as well as the replacement of all HVAC uni
ts with newer, more energy efficient systems which led to substantial energy cos
t savings for our company. I managed a project to amalgamate all natural gas de
livery to our building through one meter, which resulted in substantial annual
cost savings.
Chair of the Safety and Chemical Hygiene committee. Coordinated monthly meeting
s, safety review of new projects, disposal of hazardous waste, safety training f
or staff and day to day safety in the labs and workshops.
Lead the company through a series of safety inspections from the Massachusetts
Department of Occupational Safety and managed the upgrades required to ensure ou
r laboratories comply with current OSHA regulatory standards.
1984 - 2000 Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
Reactor Fuel Channel Safety 1987 to 2000
Managed installation and supervised operation of mechanical testing equipment, i
nstrumentation and data acquisition system in a radioactive shielded facility
Integrated process instrumentation with computer based data acquisition system i
n the High Temperature Heat Transfer Laboratory and instructed staff in its use
Specified and installed hydrogen mass flow measurement instrumentation in the HT
HT Laboratory
Wrote instrumentation calibration procedures for the High Temperature Heat Trans
fer Laboratory
Specified, commissioned and operated a computer based data acquisition system fo
r the commissioning of the SLOWPOKE Demonstration Reactor
Supervised and operated a small scale electrical generator being considered for
use in a proposed Canadian nuclear submarine.
Radiation Application 1985 to 1987
Developed and supervised a Radiation Dosimetry Laboratory to provide dosimetry s
ervices to experimentalists
Tested new chemical techniques for measuring radiation dose from an experimental
electron accelerator
Supervised, maintained and operated a Gamma-Cell in the Cobalt-60 Irradiation Fa
cility
Fuel Processing Development 1984 to 1985
Operated demonstration-scale chemical process separating nuclear waste products
from spent nuclear fuel
Tested and instrumented bench-scale mixer-settler device for potential use in nu
clear fuel reprocessing facility
Tested microwave equipment for use in oxidation of uranium fuel pellets
1972-1977 University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Canada
Laboratory Instructor, Chemistry Department 1974 to 1977
Prepared, taught and graded Physical and Organic Chemistry Lab sections
Maintained chemical and equipment inventories and prepared reagents for student
use
Laboratory Demonstrator -- 1972 to 1974
Assisted Lab Instructors in Chemistry and Biology departments
1977 - 1982 Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, Canada
Field Staff 1977 to 1982
Mentored young community leaders in leadership skills
Lead management team for Mid-West division (1981-82)
Prepared and presented division budgets and reports at senior management meeting
s
Recruited staff and directed Manitoba Pioneer Camp (boys summer camp)
Education
University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Canada - B.Sc. in Chemistry
Red River Community College, Winnipeg, Canada - Diploma in Instrumentation Tech
nology
Training
"PLC/PAC Automation" ISA- Raleigh NC, November, 2010
"LabVIEW - Level I & II" National Instruments - Woburn, MA February 2006
"AutoCAD Level II" MicroCAD Training & Consulting January, 2006
"Fundamentals of Project Management" Dr. Eldon Larsen (Marshall University), C
eraMem, May, 2005
"Introduction to AutoCAD" Wentworth Institute of Technology February, 2005
"DOT Hazardous Material Employee with Packaging" Association of Bay Area Govern
ments Training Center December, 2004
Microsoft WORD, EXCEL, ACCESS
Organizations
Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA) - Boston Section
American Institute of Chemical Engineers - Boston Section
Residency Status
Citizenship: US / Canadian (Dual citizenship)
Patents
"Reaction Bonded Alumina Filter And Membrane Support" #US 6,695,967 B2 Feb.24,
2004